Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-04-23
TRIAL FOR MURDER.
RANDALL WATSON TAKEN OUT 10
GREENsvILLE FOB TRIAL.
On Trial for Highway Robbery-More In
dietment Youthful Criminals-Vir-
ginia and Carolina Railroad.
rcoro.pOndcnce Of the Richmond Dispatch
pfTRRgBrJRO. VA. ApriI %, II

PETERSBURG, VA, April %, 1887.
Randall Watson (colored), charged
with the murder Of Joe Robinson (col-
ored) at Belfield on Sunday the 26th
of December, was taken from the Jail
| in this city this morning by Sheriff
Hobbs, of Greensville county, and car
ried out to HicksFord to be tried for his
life in the Circuit Court OF Greensville,
which meets tomorrow. After his in
dictment in the County Court the pri-
soner elected to be tried in the Circuit
Court, and able counsel have been en-
ployed to defend him. The case ex-
cites a great deal of interest in the
county because of the prominence of
the accused as a political leader among
the colored people, and the various re-
ports in circulation about his previous
character, his having killed a man in
North Carolina, and having committed
other crimes.
At the same term Of the court two or
three other important criminal cases
will also be tried as also the case in
volving the question of the sheriffalty
Of the county, there being two claimants
for the Office. Sheriff Hobbs was re-
moved by Judge Yarrell, of the County
Court, and Captain Walker, of the
county police, was appointed in his
place. An appeal was taken by
Mr.. Hobbs to the higher court, and
Judge Hancock issued a supersodcas,
which practically reinstated Mr. Hobbs
in office until the case could be formally
heard in his court.
The Republicans of Prince George
county held elections in the several
districts to-day Cor the election of dele
gates to convention to be held to-
morrow at the courthouse, which will
nominate a party ticket for county
officers. There are a number of candi-
dates for Office whose names will come
before the convention.
The Hastings Court has been en-
gagged all day in the trial of William A.
Lanston, of Richmond, one of the
three young white men who are
charged with the assault and robbery
on the highway of Mr.. Hughes, the
United States msil-carTier on the route
between Petersburg and Southampton
county. This robbery occurred at an
early hour of the night on one of the
streets of our city, and the parties
against whom the charge rests were
identified by Mr.. Hughes and were
sent on by the mayor. before whom
one of the parties made a statement
duplicating himself and the others.
The grand jury was in session again
to-day and found several indictments
for felony and misdemeanor. Mr.. w.
H. DewbeTy, a member of the jury,
was taken sick during the session and
had to be sent home for medical at
tendance. The grand jury were adj
journed over until Monday next.
Willie Hatchett and Charles Lewis,
two small boys, who were arrested in
Norfolk yesterday, charged with house
breaking and larceny, were arraigned
in the Mayors Court this morning.
Their extreme youth excited surprise,
because of the seriousness of the of
fence with which they are charged.
Their cases were continued for want of
evidence.
tits thought that when the matter OF
the Virginia and Carolina railroad
again comes up before the Common
Council it will be in a new shape, with
probably more favorable proposition
to the city.
Rev. John Gregory Claiborne, father
of DR.. John Herbert Claiborne, of this
city, and one of the most venerable
and honored citizens of Southside Vir-
ginia, is represented to be seriously i'll
at his sons residence here.
RODIS ADAIR,